This is the first book to combine a strictly scientific approach tohuman perception with a practical concern for the rules governing theeffective visual presentation of information. Surveying the researchof leading psychologists and neurophysiologists, the author isolateskey principles at work in vision and perception, and from them, derivesspecific, effective visualization techniques, suitable for a wide rangeof scenarios. You can apply these principles in ways to optimize howothers perceive visual information-resulting in improved clarity,utility, and persuasiveness. Likewise, you can apply them to yourown exploratory data analyses to develop display strategies thatmake data patterns and their significance easier to discern.

Information Visualization transcends the often-divergent approaches tovisualization taken by individual disciplines. It will prove afascinating, practical resource for anyone who uses graphicalpresentation as a key to successful analysis and communication:graphic artists, user interface/interaction designers, financialanalysts, data miners, and managers faced with information-intensivechallenges.

* Brings current scientific insight to the study of data visualization. * Explains multiple facets of visual perception: color, organization, space, motion, texture, and the relationship between images and words.* Explores strategies for designing glyphs and icons to optimize a GUI’s effectiveness and ease of use.* Examines the distinctions between word-based and image-based perception and develops guidelines for choosing between verbal and graphical communication approaches.* Presents successful techniques for displaying geographical and other data in multiple layers.* Offers rules for designing easily navigable data spaces in VRML.* Supports points with numerous illustrations, including over thirty color images.Most designers know that yellow text presented against a blue background reads clearly and easily, but how many can explain why? Information Visualization: Perception for Design explores the art and science of why we see objects the way we do.

Although more technical than most graphic design books, the book “is intended to make [the data from the science and study of visualization] available to the non-specialist.” Each chapter focuses on a different facet of human vision, like “Lightness, Brightness, Contrast, and Constancy” in chapter 3, or “Static and Moving Patterns” in chapter 4.

Although the author tries to put a great deal of scientific research data into pedestrian terms, the nature of the subject matter and the papers from which he culls his information make this task an uphill battle from the start. As a result, the book is full of valuable information, but it may not necessarily be right for the average graphic designer looking for a new inspirational spin. Serious interface designers, presentation designers, data analyzers, or any artist tasked with presenting ideas in a visual format, though, should come away from Information Visualization with a clearer understanding of the inner workings of perception. At the very least, they’ll be able to explain why yellow text against blue is a good combination. –Mike Caputo

Product Features

Intelligent building blocks of information viz This a well-written work revealing the fundamental rules of perception that are applicable in info viz and design. If you are looking for elaborate examples or brochureware, this is not for you. Focus is on basic principles (such as the gestalt rules, kinetic motion organization, visual ability. Excellent for the beginner or academic. Advanced info designers/architects may find it a little lean, but trust me, it’s still worth it as a refresher and knowledge-base builder (I felt I still…

Excellent, despite its flaws Ware’s book provides a technically accurate and well-written overview of the gamut of issues pertaining to information visualization — from basic visual anatomy and physiology to techniques for creating effective displays from multidimensional data.Yes, it’s “introductory” in nature, but it’s the most comprehensive introduction I’ve seen to this complex and emerging field. It would make an excellent reference or textbook.The 5-star content gets 4 stars because of…